Royal Institution Christmas Lectures 1973: The Language of Animals

Synopsis: David Attenborough’s lectures explore the complex world of animal communication. The series was filmed live at the Royal Institution between Friday 23 December 1973 and Friday 4 January 1974. Attenborough demonstrates the varied means by which animals convey information to one another and reveals a collection of diverse and complicated behaviours. From visual signals to distinctive scents, the series explores the vast repertoire of animal language as well as the diverse meaning of messages, whether it be attracting a mate or acting as a warning signal.

Language is shown to be a universal tool of the animal kingdom but, asks Attenborough, how can we learn what animals are saying to each other and how does their language compare to our own? The series concludes by exploring whether it is possible for us to communicate with animals and if we could ever hope to teach an animal to use a human language. Each lecture is around sixty minutes long.

Please note: The fourth lecture in the series ('Simple Signs and Complicated Communications’) is currently unavailable.
Series: Royal Institution Christmas Lectures
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Year of release: 1973
Subjects: Biology
Keywords: animal communication; evolution; language; nature

Name: Royal Institution of Great Britain, The
Email: events@ri.ac.uk
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Phone: 020 7409 2992
Address: 21 Albemarle Street
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Notes: An archive of webcasts of events held at the Royal Institution, some going back to 1962. Most of the RI Christmas Lectures are available, together with other lectures given by scientists including Lawrence Bragg. Free registration is required for online access. Some of the more recent Christmas Lectures are also available for sale on DVD.

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